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A Visit to Prussia Cove in Cornwall

Prussia Cove in Cornwall

Smuggling, Copper Mining & Poldark

A Visit to Prussia Cove in Cornwall

Prussia Cove is one of those beautiful hidden areas located on the south coast of Cornwall. As i was lucky enough to stay at Trevnor Farmhouse near Goldsithney, getting here was only a five minute drive. It is still a fair distance to get to Prussia Cove though as the car park is at the top, then a ten minute walk. I would not recommend trying to get here if you have difficulty walking or other disability that would restrict you from using rough tracks.

Before arriving i did a little research and was fascinated by how this place was used over the years. When i read about a harbour or cove it normally involves having had some involvement with the fishing industry or some involvement of a popular export during its peak. Whist the two i have mentioned have been in existence here, there is also a lot more.

Fishermans Huts at Prussia Cove.

Prussia Cove & Smuggling

Smuggling in Cornwall during the eighteenth century, especially in the south was pretty much a common occurrence. The reason why it was easy to smuggle, especially back in those days, was access to these coves dotted around the Cornwall coast line had very poor or no road access, making it a haven for anything illegal.

Penzance, a nearby town that had a custom house, had a collector and staff who had the arduous task of collecting from these smugglers within the Penzance area.

But this effort was all but futile as no suitable roads or access were built around the time. A major road was built eventually around 1760 but this had only reached to Marazion, a nearby village.

As i found out about this i recalled my journey down on the A30 where it took the best part of the day to reach the south. It was not the best of journeys, but to think that if this was a difficult journey in these times of highways and modern roads, then i shudder to think how these areas were reached during those times of smuggling.

A Way of Life

Smuggling was pretty much a way of life, and with the lack of access to these areas, it was a common practice. To put into perspective how popular it was in the eighteenth century, one particular mayor of Penzance, john Tonkin, was even having involvement in smuggling, but this was short lived as we was later convicted.

During this time there was also a family at Prussia Cove which would make this place the way it is today, including the reason why Prussia Cove is so called.... Enter the Carters.

Making the way down to Prussia Cove. The track is not ideal for anyone with walking difficulties.

The Carters of Prussia Cove

The Carters were a famous family of smugglers. They operated from three areas, Prussia cove perhaps being their more popular area. They were a family of seven children but only five survived. The most notable one was john Carter who was famously known as the King of Prussia and the reason why this place is called as it is today. Before the change of name it was known as Kings Cove.

John Carter along with his brothers operated in smuggling for many years until 1778, when Harry was caught by a man-of-war whilst on his boat. His crew fought but it was a futile struggle and he sustained injuries that almost ended his life. Remarkably he was able to reach shore and heal from his wounds. He spent three months after the attack recovering mainly at Acton Castle.

Once recovered he moved to America where he was working on farms amongst slaves that were associated around that time, a far cry from his smuggling days. During this time he also became a Methodist. Around 1790 he returned to resume his smuggling affairs until he was warned to move again for fear of betrayal.

Away from Smuggling Life

John Carter moved to Roscoff in France where he resumed being a Methodist until war broke out between France and England and was placed under house arrest. It was during this absence that great efforts were being undertaken to destroy the remaining Carters at Prussia Cove but they put up great resistance, managing to operate for a while longer.

John Carter returned once again but would no longer have any part in smuggling, instead living in Poverty at Rinsey whilst still practising as a Methodist.

John Carter died in 1803 but the smuggling did not end until around 1825 when a boat to prevent smuggling was based at the cove. Coastguard cottages were also built at Prussia Cove in 1825 which still survive today.

Path leading to the bay at Prussia Cove.

Prussia Cove after Smuggling

Not much has changed to the cove since, it has almost been untouched apart from natural erosion. On 27th April 1947 a warship, HMS Warspite ran aground on the rocks which led to spending four years at the cove. The original Poldark series was also filmed at Prussia Cove during the 1970's including some films being produced here too. Notable films are Ladies in Lavender starring Judie Dench including Summer in February starring Dan Stevens.

Aside from its history, it is also a site of special scientific interest.